Assam Family's Rescue of Orphaned Civet Featured in CBSE Textbook

Guwahati: In 2009, Dharani Saikia, a local conservationist in Assam known as the Forest Man, rescued a two-week-old orphaned civet. Facing low chances of survival, the family made a life-saving decision after a forest official suggested the baby required nutrients similar to human milk. Anjali Saikia began breastfeeding the cub alongside her own infant son, effectively integrating the wild animal into their household.

The family named the civet Bhakat, a name derived from their son's early attempts to pronounce the word. Over the next eight months, the animal became a central part of their daily routine, sleeping between the couple’s children and frequently demanding his favorite treats of tea and biscuits. The unique bond caught the attention of a visiting photographer, who documented their story for the public.

Bhakat eventually returned to the wild with a companion, but his impact remained. The family later discovered their story was included in the CBSE Class 10 textbook under the title Baby Bhakat. Anjali Saikia said, "We never imagined that our story would one day be printed in a school textbook."

For Dharani Saikia, the inclusion of their experience serves a greater purpose than personal fame. He believes that if the curriculum helps even a small fraction of students develop compassion for wildlife, the effort was worthwhile. The Saikia family continues to advocate for the protection of animals, hoping their story inspires a new generation to treat wild creatures with kindness.